UAE's Next Frontier of Retail Growth

By: Rachita Sharma, Managing Editor | Monday, 23 February 2026

Retail is one of the key industries globally. A region-specific sector, retail trends and market dynamics often change region-wise and based on the specific consumer consumption pattern.

Looking closely at the UAE retail sector we can observe a high value, fast growing industry. The industry was valued more than $100 billion in 2023. In the future, the industry is projected to reach $139 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 11.52%.

UAE is known globally for its booming retail segment which is home to some of the most sought-after brands. The industry is dominated by major malls, luxury brands, and has seen a surge in omnichannel, with rapid growth of e-commerce.

A common thread is seen across all burgeoning retail sectors is digitalization, consumer-behavior evolution and emerging technologies. A notable transformation has come about owing to these factors over the past few years. Top Middle Eastern nations also score high in the global race to digitization, which has driven new-age retail channels’ growth in the region.

Increased digitization and rise of e-commerce have also enabled new-age entrepreneurs to launch innovative brands in various segments. The current edition of Women Entrepreneurs Review puts the spotlight on a few such women leaders.

One of the feature retail leaders is Sima Barazi. She is the founder of Boom & Mellow, one of Dubai’s most beloved concept boutiques known for its curated accessories, jewellery, and gifting collections. An entrepreneur for over 25 years, Sima launched Boom & Mellow in 2005, introducing a fresh, curated approach to retail.

Another innovative business leader featured in this edition is Safiya Mehbaliyeva, a systems-oriented, research-led leader who combines intellectual rigor with entrepreneurial vision. Safiya establishes credible standards, strengthens consumer confidence, and advances ethical, professionally governed resale practices for structured execution and governance.

Read in-depth conversations featuring these women leaders and get to know the secret to their success.

Read on and do let us know your thoughts.